GERMAN ULTIMATUM SUBMITTED TO SPAIN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 4, 6 January 1937, Page 7

GERMAN ULTIMATUM SUBMITTED TO SPAIN.

RELEASE OF SHIP. Threat to Sell Two Spanish Vessels Captured. GRAVE BRITISH CONCERN. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 5. The "Daily Telegraph" diplomatic correspondent says that Mr. Eden returned to London last night. He will consult his colleagues to-day regarding the latest developments in the Spanish situation, of which the Government takes a serious view, particularly in regard to insurgent interference with British shipping. Yesterday's protests to General Franco regarding the molestation of the steamers Blackhill and Etrib are intended as a warning to all foreign authorities that Britain is determined to maintain the safety of her merchant shipping lawfully engaged about the Spanish coast for which British naval forces in those waters are considered more than sufficient. . It is understood, states a Gibraltar message, that the rebel naval authorities have promised to respect British •hipping. Reports from H.M.S. Grafton, which vixited Cadiz in connection with recent incidents in which British ' steamers were involved, state that the commanding officer is satisfied that insurgent patrols have orders to respect British shipping. It is understood the Etrib was mistaken for another vessel and was not boarded. An official Berlin communique states that the commander-in-chief of* the German Navy in Spanish waters, RearAdmiral Carls,-wirelessed an ultimatum through the cruiser Koenigsberg, to the Spanish Government at Valencia demanding the release of the Spanish passenger and the cargo of the Palos. If the Government does not comply by 8 a.m. on January 8 he threatens to sell the Spanish steamers Aragon and Marta Jlinquera and place the proceeds to the credit of the Nationalist Government, which is the only one Germany recognises. Germany reserves the right to take new measures in the event of further acts of piracy. The "Daily Telegraph" Berlin representative says the impression., is growing that the German naval forces around Spain are working on a definite plan, namely, to seize one Spanish ship daily until Germany has attained her ends. SPANISH NOTE. Legality of Seizure of German Steamer Palos. SUBMISSION TO BRITAIN. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, January 5. The Spanish Ambassador has handed to the British Foreign Office a Note 1 advancing reasons for the legality of & the seizure of the German steamer Palos, recapitulating German reprisals and adhering to the refusal to agree to the "impositions" of the German Admiral, von Fischil. The Note says these are likely to cause the gravest complications should |t the Spanish Navy or Air Force intersL T «ne to prevent the intrusion of the .German Navy. The purpose of the policy of non-intervention and the '■ efforts to localise the conflict might thus be irreparably compromised. ;| The Spanish Government, therefore, % is leaving to the British Government's v» . judgment, the submission of its examinaj tion of the situation to the Non-Inter-vention Committee. GAINS CLAIMED. Fierce Fighting Around > Madrid. CAPITAL'S FOOD SUPPLY. (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON,'January 5. - „ Fie f ce fighting continues round Madrid. Rebels claim to have captured $he strategic town of Las Rozas. A day of desperate fighting northwest of Madrid, resulted in an insurgent Rain of five miles. The rebels claim that *v the enemy was routed, but the Loyalists •t least prevented them breaking through. "The Times" Madrid correspondent ttya all danger to Madrid from the east I ■•• now been removed. Loyalist columns, "t operating along the roads to Saragossa Md to Soria, captured aerodromes at | Villaseca and Caste Jon, and the whole •' the Atienza district wheat crop and which should relieve the capital's food problems. LATEST " ATROCITY." I ! SCHOOLGIRLS EXECUTED. i ?■' / i fe* ' < (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, January 5# i U The Exchange Telegraph Company's i Seville correspondent reports that two 1 ft schoolgirls, aged 16 and 18 years, were J fej 'hot at Barcelona for "jointly keeping ' H* diary in which anti-Red sentiments ij' Were expressed." ' 5 CONSULS RESIGN. OFFICIALS IN AUSTRALIA. (Received 1 p.m.) ADELAIDE, this day. | r . Mr. E. Phillips Dancker, Vice-Consul •' «®T®P a i n » ' Jas tendered his resignation j because lie is "uuable to reconcile him-.': 1 v* ielf with the politics of his Govern- 1 f Went." He says the Consul-General for i t§ ?P*' n Sydney, Senor Pedro de Ygual, y! ■as also resigned for the same reason. ]